After IV

What's My Purpose? It's a fundamental question that needs an answer. But would you be surprised to hear that the answer might not be quite as complicated as you think? This week, April Peters from Landing on Purpose is here to provide some helpful insight on our purpose and how it differs from our calling and mission. RELATED EPISODE(S) AppleSpotifyYouTubeMORE FROM APRIL PETERS Landing on PurposeLinkedIn Live RecordingSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Who Am I? The list of potential identities we hold during college is long: student, freshman/sophomore/junior/senior, athlete, Greek, leader, coordinator, president (to name a few). But putting on the cap and gown for graduation often requires taking off many of those titles. And as we leave them in the capable hands of those who remain on campus, we can be left with some uncertainty around our own identity. Who are we when those long-held campus roles and rhythms no longer define so much of what we do? This week, we're joined by author, alumnus, and Assistant to the President of InterVarsity, Greg Jao. And Greg is going to provide some firm footing for us as we take next steps in answering the big question, "Who Am I?" RELATED EPISODES AppleSpotifyYouTubeSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Should I Cancel Netflix? No, this isn't actually about Netflix, per se... Rather, what should my relationship be with media and entertainment after graduation? So often, we get home from work and our natural inclination is to sit down and turn on a streaming service or short-form social media like Instagram and TikTok. But is that the best way? What does it look like to establish healthy rhythms of rest that are informed by biblical examples? This week, we're joined by one of today's leading thinkers in this area: Andy Crouch. As a partner for theology and culture with Praxis, past executive editor of Christianity Today, and the author of numerous books (The Techwise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place; The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World), Andy has spent significantly more time than most thinking about technology, our relationship with it, and its impact on our relationships with one another. As you can imagine, Andy has some helpful insights for us as we answer the question, "Should I cancel Netflix?" RELATED EPISODES AppleSpotifyAppleSpotifyYouTubeMORE FROM ANDY CROUCH BooksInstagramWhen People Go To Heaven, Do They Bring Their PhonesAppleSpotifySTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Where should I live? "Wherever I can find a job," is probably the most common answer to this big question after graduation. We go where there's work. But what if there's more to it than that? What if we thought about "place" in terms of thriving? Where can I put down roots that will allow me to thrive and will also provide opportunities for me to help others thrive? On this episode, we're joined by the leading expert in life after college, Erica Young Reitz. Erica is the founder of After College Transition, and author of the newly updated After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and Faith. A strong theology of place is something Erica cares about deeply and she's going to help us gain a more robust understanding for how to answer the big question, "Where should I live?" RELATED EPISODE(S) AppleSpotifyYouTubeOTHER RESOURCES After College TransitionAfter College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and FaithStaying is the New GoingFront Yard MissionSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

How do I grow as a leader? As a part of InterVarsity, opportunities to lead were abundant. That's the beauty of being part of a student-led organization! But those opportunities might not feel quite as accessible after graduation... How, then, do we keep developing as leaders in this new season of life? Jason Jensen, author of the new IVP title "Formed to Lead", joins us for this episode to help reframe our understanding of leadership and provide helpful practices for growing as leaders who are deeply-rooted disciples of Jesus. RELATED EPISODE YouTubeSpotifyAppleRESOURCES Purchase your copy of Formed to LeadSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

“What should I do about my anxiety?” This week, we’re continuing our newest series, Big Questions, with the conclusion to our conversation with Nader Sahyouni, a professional in the world of clinical counseling and spiritual direction. Nader is going to finish clarifying what it means to accept more and then teach us how to attach better as a means to develop a healthier approach to managing anxiety. If you missed part 1 of the Big Question "What should I do about my anxiety," tap one of the links below to get caught up. RELATED EPISODE AppleSpotifyYouTubeAppleSpotifyRESOURCES Anxiety TransformedNader's WebsiteSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

“What should I do about my anxiety?” As a new grad, you have many questions running through your mind. It’s normal. It’s good. And it’s why this new series exists. For the next few weeks, we’re going to be asking the experts some of your biggest questions about life after graduation. This week, we’re asking for help with anxiety. To help us do that, we’re joined by Nader Sahyouni, a professional in the world of clinical counseling and spiritual direction. Nader is also the author of Anxiety Transformed: Prayer that Brings Enduring Change. And Nader is going to share three practical (and research-based) steps that he recommends for developing a healthier approach to managing anxiety. RELATED EPISODE AppleSpotifyYouTubeSpotifyAppleRESOURCES Anxiety TransformedNader's WebsiteSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... metaphor for life after graduation? Okay, that's a stretch... BUT, the most recent Superman movie does illustrate a number of sentiments that might be appreciated by a brand new grad. Superman feels disconnected, misunderstood, lonely, and out of place. He's questioning his purpose but also has a deep sense of conviction and commitment to a meaningful mission. Can you relate? Jon's flying solo this week, but he's carrying on with After IV's two-part summer media breakdown series. How is what we're watching and listening to shaping us in life after graduation? And what can we learn from a box office hit like Superman? RELATED EPISODE(S) YouTubeAppleSpotifySTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Alex Warren's "Ordinary" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 back in February of this year and has spent all of Summer '25 (so far) in the #1 position. It's catchy, it's deep, and it's fun to sing. But what does it mean? And how is it shaping us as we sing along in the car for the 50th time? With lyrics that mention heaven's gates, the sanctuary, the altar, and even the Lord, it can leave us with familiar feelings of faith and spirituality. But should warning lights start to flash once we recognize poetic references to God and worship are being focused on another human? Or is it a complement? An artist using powerful biblical images of worship (along with a healthy dollop of poetic license) to describe the deep and mysterious experience of romantic love? We're enjoying a short break in our typical format to dig into some of Summer 2025's big hits in music and movies. This week, we're joined by Juilliard Christian Fellowship Alumna, Lydia Goldie, as we discuss the implications of Alex Warren's hit song "Ordinary" and what it means to be thoughtful about music and the impact it has on our discipleship journey with Jesus. Watch the "Ordinary" music video RELATED EPISODE(S) AppleSpotifySTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

What can a medical student expect as they make the transition to residency? After IV is sitting down with another focus ministry alum this week! On this episode, we're chatting with Dr. Victor Hsiao, MD, an alum from the Keck Student Christian Fellowship at USC. In addition to providing insights about his transition to residency after Med School, Victor shares how his time with his grad fellowship helped prepare him for partnering with Jesus in his calling after graduation. RELATED EPISODES YouTubeAppleSpotifyAppleSpotifySTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

We've heard the experts. But what are my fellow alumni saying? We recently devoted 10 episodes to conversations with experts and your fellow alumni about navigating the unique challenges of faith transitions after college. We covered a range of topics including new rhythms for spiritual discipline, doubt, hope, and perseverance. Today, we look back on those conversations with Selah, a 2024 InterVarsity alumna who's walking through so many of these exact faith transition experiences. She provides thoughtful feedback from her first year of life after graduation and highlights some of her most meaningful moments from the recent series. RELATED EPISODE(S) YouTubeSpotifyAppleYouTubeSpotifyAppleYouTubeSpotifyAppleYouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Too much? Not enough? Exactly the right amount? How much joy would you say you experience in your life right now? “Biblical joy and a life of joy comes about when we sense in our nearness to God that he is good and that that will never change. That his goodness and his loving grace toward us is unceasing and it is constant and it is consistent in the midst of life’s ups and downs.” On this episode of After IV, we revisit our conversation with Jay Kim, pastor and author of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. Jon and Andy discuss the fleeting nature of social media-triggered happiness, and the route to joy centered and deeply rooted in God's unchanging goodness. RELATED EPISODES YouTubeSpotifyAppleYouTubeSpotifyAppleOTHER RESOURCES Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital AgeSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

Has God left me here alone? When we find ourselves in dark, dangerous places, it's easy to wonder if God has left us. We might wonder... Did I miss his instructions? Is it because of sin? Does he just not care?What if those are the wrong questions? What if we're supposed to ask... Where do I remember seeing God in the past?Is it possible he's still there?Difficulty and hardship do not equal God's absence. In fact, Psalm 23 makes it clear that oftentimes the right paths lead through dark valleys. Which means, even if it's harder to see at times, God's provision and protection is still with us in difficult, dangerous places. This week, Jason Gaboury helps us better understand the confidence and hope that we can have, even when the path we're walking leads through some pretty dark valleys. RESOURCES @afterivpodRELATED EPISODE YouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with Jesus lately... That's normal! Sometimes, sticking with your faith isn't about feeling inspired. It's about continuing to show up when it's boring, confusing, and hard. This week, we're talking about spiritual perseverance and our ability to hold tight to Jesus; especially when it feels like our relationship with him just isn't going anywhere. Because sometimes faithfully following Jesus after graduation isn’t dramatic or exciting like it was on campus. Sometimes, it’s just about that small, faithful decision to keep showing up. RELATED EPISODE YouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

"I walked away for a pretty long time..." No one expects to walk away from their faith after graduation. It was definitely a huge surprise for Rocco. He'd been highly involved in his InterVarsity chapter. He attended Urbana. And he was excited and hopeful about life after graduation. But loneliness, overworking, and extremely intelligent co-workers who didn't believe in Jesus left him experiencing an unexpected crisis of faith. This week, we hear Rocco's story of walking away from Jesus after graduation. But walking away wasn't the end. Through a series of events that sound like the setup to a bad dad joke, one lonely evening in the middle of a work trip the Holy Spirit, Rocco's campus staff, and his grandma intervened. And everything (slowly) started to change for Rocco. RELATED EPISODES YouTubeSpotifyAppleYouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

What do I do when my faith experience feels... disappointing? In this candid episode of After IV, we welcome InterVarsity alumna Erica Spanjers to talk about the highs and lows of post-college faith. Jon and Erica explore what it means to follow Jesus when church communities let us down, when spiritual growth feels slow, and when God's presence seems quiet. With themes of church hurt, spiritual disappointment, and resilient hope, this episode offers real encouragement for alumni navigating transitions, faith deconstruction, and building (or rebuilding) trust in God after graduation. RELATED EPISODES YouTubeSpotifyAppleYouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

When you look back, do you see Him? In part two of our conversation with Heather Thompson Day, we talk about the power of reflection, the slow work of spiritual growth, and the ways God shows up—often in hindsight. Heather shares how journaling, gratitude, and persistent hope have helped her recognize God's fingerprints even in seasons of silence and waiting. We also explore what it means to prosper in God’s kingdom (hint: it's not about success), how to live generously even in lack, and why your faithfulness matters more than your clarity. If you’ve been wondering where God is in your story, this episode will help you find Him in the details. Resources heatherthompsonday.comWhat if I’m Wrong: Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure@heatherthompsondayRELATED EPISODE YouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

What if doubt wasn’t something to run from, but a sign you’re right where God wants you? In part one of this honest and powerful conversation, Dr. Heather Thompson Day joins us to talk about the unexpected presence of doubt during life’s biggest transitions—like stepping away from a career, losing structure, or graduating from a close-knit community. Together, we unpack how faith and doubt often coexist, why resistance can be a sign of God’s presence, and how to stay rooted when your future feels uncertain. Whether you're wrestling with calling, finances, or identity, this episode reminds you: God sees you, even when you can’t see Him. Resources heatherthompsonday.comWhat if I’m Wrong: Navigating the Waves of Fear and Failure@heatherthompsondayRELATED EPISODE YouTubeSpotifyAppleSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our Website ★ Support this podcast ★

What's the hardest part about making friends after graduation? Believe it or not, it usually isn't meeting new people. New people are everywhere. The hardest part is taking consistent, proactive steps toward GETTING TO KNOW someone once you've met them. So, how do we take that step? If friendship and community are so important for our faith development, mental health, and general well being, how do we overcome that most difficult step? This week, Jon and Nader chat about vulnerability, healthy boundaries, prayer, and a little persistence as a workable formula for developing deeper, meaningful connections after graduation. RELATED EPISODES YouTubeSpotifyAppleSpotifyAppleRESOURCES Nader's WebsiteSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our WebsiteLeave us a message on SpeakPipe ★ Support this podcast ★

Life's too distracting to have a meaningful prayer time... Do you ever feel this way? You're not alone! Spiritual Director and clinical counselor, Nader Sahyouni, says that distraction is one of the most common barriers people experience in prayer. Whether it's the result of big life choices, frustrations at work, or relentless TikTok notifications, life is just distracting. And the remedy isn't simply getting more focused... It's leaning into God's gracious invitation to experience his love and care for us. Join us this week for an invitation to transition from prayer motivated by task and obligation to a sense of relationship and connection with a loving God (plus a few practical tips to help the distracted pray-er...) RELATED EPISODE YouTubeSpotifyAppleRESOURCES Nader's WebsiteDistraction ProblemsSTAY IN TOUCH @afterivpodVisit our WebsiteLeave us a message on SpeakPipe ★ Support this podcast ★